~2017-18 Big Ten Basketball Thread~

[ELA]

I wouldn't touch that game with a 10 foot pole.  As you said, Texas A&M has been all over the place, and so had Michigan.  They were hotter than anyone in the Big Ten entering the tourney, then played so poorly Thursday, they probably would have lost to about 55-60 teams in the tourney, just not Montana.  Then needed the buzzer beater.  I could see a Michigan blowout win, or a Texas A&M blowout win, or anything in between.

Looks like both teams are back to how they played prior to last weekend.

[MaximumSam]

A&M looks totally frazzled by Michigan's defense and it affected their defense. Also Michigan shooting well

[847badgerfan]

Loyola looking pretty good. Not sure how long they can hold on to the coach.

[MaximumSam]

This Nevada game could be a great finish

[ELA]

So, looking good for a 3, two 9s and an 11 on one side of the bracket?  That has to be a record for worst regional finals on the same side right?

[betarhoalphadelta]

So, looking good for a 3, two 9s and an 11 on one side of the bracket?  That has to be a record for worst regional finals on the same side right?

And the opposite side is likely to go 1-1-2-2/3... 

[medinabuckeye1]

And the opposite side is likely to go 1-1-2-2/3...

That is the weird part.  #3 seed Michigan, if they make it all the way, will get to the CG by beating:

• #14 Montana
• #6 Houston
• #7 aTm
• #9 FSU
• Either #9 KSU or #11 Loyola-Chicago

If the upsets were more spread out it wouldn't be such a big deal but they have all been concentrated on the left side of the bracket.  It is entirely likely that two regional finals will be #1 v #2 while the other two are 3/9 and 9/11.  

[ELA]

That is the weird part.  #3 seed Michigan, if they make it all the way, will get to the CG by beating:

• #14 Montana
• #6 Houston
• #7 aTm
• #9 FSU
• Either #9 KSU or #11 Loyola-Chicago

If the upsets were more spread out it wouldn't be such a big deal but they have all been concentrated on the left side of the bracket.  It is entirely likely that two regional finals will be #1 v #2 while the other two are 3/9 and 9/11.  

Over the past 30 years, only 5 times has a team made it to the national championship without facing a top 3 seed, and only 2 times (both UNC) without facing a top 4 seed.  No team has ever not faced a top 5 seed.  And all of the teams that ever did it without facing a top 3 were 1 seeds.
2017 Gonzaga: 16-8-4-11-7
2016 North Carolina: 16-9-5-6-10
2005 North Carolina: 16-9-5-6-5
1999 Connecticut: 16-9-5-10-4
1990 UNLV: 16-8-12-11-4
Michigan is guaranteed to break that, and if Florida State beats Michigan, then Kansas State would get it too, if they beat Loyola.  I stopped at 30 years, because I'm guessing it didn't happen before that, with fewer upsets.  So in the history of the tournament, we've never had a path that easy to a national championship game, and now two different regions on the same side of the bracket have a chance at producing it in the same year.  And to go even farther, those previous paths were all by 1 seeds.  This years would be a 3 seed and a NINE SEED!

[Anonymous Coward]

Crazy, stupid luck for Michigan on the left bracket -- though, if they make it, I guess that averages them out for the crazy (the hard kind) gauntlet that they needed to cross in 2013 (13-5-1-3-4-1).

[Anonymous Coward]

Meanwhile, in obvious news that still has an effect when mentioned a certain way, in the last four tournaments (Big Ten + National, 2017/2018), Michigan is 13-1.

[ELA]

Crazy, stupid luck for Michigan on the left bracket -- though, if they make it, I guess that averages them out for the crazy (the hard kind) gauntlet that they needed to cross in 2013 (13-5-1-3-4-1).

Plus the horrible luck they had in the fall I had to hear about non stop of having to play in the first ever football game where only one team had to play in the rain.  

[Entropy]

the tourney has been entertaining this year...    Certainly mirrored the regular season with upsets and the fact that the NCAA had a lot of good teams that played up and down basketball.   Part of that is youth and the # of guys who leave early... Part of that is talent is spreading. 

[ELA]

the tourney has been entertaining this year...    Certainly mirrored the regular season with upsets and the fact that the NCAA had a lot of good teams that played up and down basketball.   Part of that is youth and the # of guys who leave early... Part of that is talent is spreading.  

I like a it in the opening round, then I like the 2nd round to correct it, for some heavyweight battles over the final 2 rounds.  I watched the first half of UM-A&M last night, and a little bit of the end of UK-KSU, but that's it.  I'll be all in for the real game today.  Probably won't watch much tomorrow.  Maybe the 2nd half of UM-FSU after the kids go to bed.

[Entropy]

Plus the horrible luck they had in the fall I had to hear about non stop of having to play in the first ever football game where only one team had to play in the rain.  

that is almost as bad as night games in football...